Expert: Rod Powers - 3/23/2007

Question
Before joining the Navy I never experienced any knee pain. While on deployment  (April 06) my knee gave out and I fell down the ladderwell. I went to medical on the ship and they gave me a knee brace and some motrin. The doctor said they were unable to give me X-rays since the machine was down and they didn't have an MRI machine onboard. I have been experiencing pain since then and both knees have gotten really swollen and occasionally "pop" out of place. I kept going to medical to see if I could get help and all they gave me was limited duty and pain killers. I finally got a MRI done this year (Jan) and the doctor on the ship said everything was fine that I had previously probably experienced a sprain. I keep getting pain that I insisted for a referral to orthopedics. I saw a orthopedic doctor and he said my knees have gotten so bad from being on a ship and not getting them treated that I no longer have cartilage behind my knee caps and all  he can do for me is send me to physical therapy to help with the swelling and see if I get temporary relief. I need to know what I should do? I fear that they will try to put me back on a ship and I will continue experiencing pain. Is there anything I can do since I was not treated earlier? Is there a possibility that I could receive disability since my condition started in the Navy? What rights do I have?  

Answer
Hi Naomi,

I'm afraid that there's not a whole lot you can do, except to keep pestering your examining medical officials to possibly submit the matters to a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB). This isn't *your* choice. It has to be initiated by a military medical doctor. For details, see my article at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/theorderlyroom/a/medseparation.htm

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com